From Dated Wallpaper to a Bright, Modern Kitchen — Interior Painting in North Royalton, OH
THE PROJECT
This interior painting project in North Royalton, OH transformed a kitchen and dining area that had been covered in heavy textured wallpaper for decades. While the wallpaper was once a popular design choice, it had become dated and was making the open-concept space feel darker and more closed-in than it actually was. The homeowners wanted a clean, modern look — warm enough to complement their dark wood cabinetry and hardwood floors, but bright enough to open up the vaulted ceiling and let the natural light from the bay window do its work.
The Picky Painters were hired to handle the full transformation: remove the existing wallpaper, repair the drywall, and paint the walls, ceiling, and woodwork throughout the kitchen and dining area. After a color consultation, the team selected Sherwin-Williams Kilim Beige SW 6106 in an Emerald Matte finish for the walls — a warm, versatile neutral that works beautifully with wood tones — and Extra White in a flat finish for the vaulted ceiling. The woodwork, including baseboards and window trim, was painted in Extra White using Sherwin-Williams Pro Classic Hybrid for a durable, cleanly finished look.
THE PREP WORK
Wallpaper removal is one of the most labor-intensive interior painting services we offer — and one of the most misunderstood. Many homeowners assume it is a simple peel-and-paint job. In reality, the condition of the walls after removal depends entirely on how the wallpaper was originally installed, how long it has been in place, and how carefully it is removed.
At this North Royalton home, the wallpaper had been applied directly to the drywall without proper sizing, which meant the paper had bonded tightly to the surface over the years. The removal process required wetting the wallpaper with a pump sprayer to loosen the adhesive, carefully scoring and peeling the paper in sections, and then cleaning the residual glue from the wall surface. Once the wallpaper was fully removed, the team assessed the drywall and found areas that required repair — including surface gouges from removal, areas where the drywall paper facing had torn, and ceiling line retaping in the eat-in kitchen area.
All drywall repairs were completed before any primer or paint was applied. The walls were skim-coated in the affected areas, allowed to dry fully, and sanded smooth before priming. This prep work is what separates a paint job that looks great for years from one that shows imperfections within months.
THE RESULT
The finished kitchen and dining area is a complete transformation. The warm Kilim Beige walls give the space a cohesive, inviting feel that works with the existing dark wood cabinetry, hardwood floors, and wood window trim — rather than competing with them. The bright white vaulted ceiling draws the eye upward and makes the room feel significantly taller and more open. Clean white woodwork on the baseboards and window trim ties the whole space together.
What makes this project stand out is not just the color choice — it is the quality of the surface underneath the paint. Because the team took the time to properly remove the wallpaper, repair the drywall, and prime the walls before painting, the finished surface is smooth, uniform, and built to last. The Sherwin-Williams Emerald Matte finish on the walls provides excellent washability and durability for a high-traffic kitchen and dining area, while the flat ceiling finish minimizes any remaining surface texture variations.
The entire project — wallpaper removal, drywall repair, and full paint — is backed by The Picky Painters' 5-Year Limited Warranty on labor and materials.
WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY
"It's been approximately a month since our job was completed by The Picky Painters. We couldn't be happier with the look. Reasonable price, great results."
— Paula Walburn, North Royalton, OH ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Our experience with Picky Painters was first class from start to finish. From our initial meeting to final cleanup, we were provided detailed documentation on the entire process. The walls and ceiling look great. There were no surprises in the process. Their detailed work was so good we understand why they really are the Picky Painters."
— Ben Walburn, North Royalton, OH ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
WHY THE PICKY PAINTERS
Every interior painting project at The Picky Painters is managed by a dedicated project manager who oversees the work from the first walkthrough to final cleanup. We provide detailed documentation before the project begins so there are no surprises on pricing, timeline, or scope. Our crews clean the work area every day to minimize disruption to your home, and we leave you with touch-up paint when the job is complete.
We are fully licensed and insured, and every project is backed by our 5-Year Limited Warranty on labor and materials. When you hire The Picky Painters, you are not just getting a fresh coat of paint — you are getting a professionally managed project with the prep work, the products, and the attention to detail that make the results last.
FAQ's
How long does wallpaper removal take? The time required for wallpaper removal depends on the size of the area, the type of wallpaper, and how it was originally installed. A single room typically takes one to two days for removal alone — not including the drywall repair and priming that must follow before painting can begin. At this North Royalton home, the kitchen and dining area walls required a full day of removal followed by drywall repairs and skim coating before the painting process started.
Can you paint over the wallpaper instead of removing it? Painting over wallpaper is generally not recommended. The seams, texture, and edges of the wallpaper will show through the paint, and any moisture from the paint can cause the wallpaper to bubble, peel, or separate from the wall. Removing the wallpaper and properly preparing the drywall surface is the only way to achieve a smooth, long-lasting paint finish. In cases where removal would cause significant drywall damage, The Picky Painters will discuss options with the homeowner before proceeding.
What paint finish is best for kitchen walls? For kitchen walls, a matte or eggshell finish is typically the best choice. Matte finishes like Sherwin-Williams Emerald Matte hide surface imperfections well and provide a clean, modern look — while still offering the washability needed in a kitchen environment. Avoid flat finishes on kitchen walls as they are more difficult to clean. At this North Royalton home, Sherwin-Williams Emerald Matte in Kilim Beige SW 6106 was used on all walls, providing both durability and a warm, inviting appearance.
| Project Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | North Royalton, OH |
| Service | Wallpaper Removal + Interior Painting |
| Rooms | Kitchen & Dining / Sitting Area |
| Wall Color | Sherwin-Williams Kilim Beige SW 6106 — Emerald Matte |
| Ceiling Color | Sherwin-Williams Extra White — Flat Extreme Cover |
| Woodwork Color | Sherwin-Williams Extra White — Pro Classic Hybrid |
| Prep Work | Full wallpaper removal, drywall repair & skim coat, ceiling retape |
| Warranty | 5-Year Limited Warranty on Labor & Materials |
| Season | Winter |